Finding the right counsellor can be a daunting task but it does not have to be. Finding the right counsellor can be life changing so it is worth investing a bit of time finding the right fit for you. Here are some steps to help you find the right counsellor so you get the best results;
Look for a counsellor registered with a profession body - ensures you are talking with someone who is correctly trained and adheres to an ethical framework - here are a few;
BACP - British Association For Counselling And Psychotherapy - UK wide.. https://www.bacp.co.uk/
COSCA - Counselling & Psychotherapy in Scotland - Scotland only. https://www.cosca.org.uk/
UKCP - UK Council for Psychotherapy - UK wide. https://www.psychotherapy.org.uk/
BPS - The British Psychological Society - UK wide. https://www.bps.org.uk/
View profiles on registers or directory sites - these often feature details and photos of the counsellors and their premises. Often they feature a postcode search. Here are a few;
Psychology Today - https://www.psychologytoday.com/gb
Counselling Directory - https://www.counselling-directory.org.uk/
Find a Therapist - https://www.findatherapist.co.uk/
Look for the specialism you need - not all counsellors will have experience working with some issues so it is worth checking - many registers or directories have filters which will bring up counsellors with the specialism you need, e.g. couples counselling or child counsellors.
Call for a chat - counsellors usually offer an initial telephone consultation for free so it is worth a call to ask any questions and find out if you feel comfortable talking with them.
Shop around - if you don’t feel comfortable with the counsellor, for whatever reason, they may not be the right fit for you. Don’t be afraid to try different counsellors to find the best fit.
